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‘Heat 2’ is on: Michael Mann crime drama moves from Warner Bros. to United Artists; Jerry Bruckheimer, Scott Stuber producing
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- Authors
- Borys Kit,Mia Galuppo
- Published
- Oct 7 2025
- Word count
- 704 words
Why do we need a Heat 2? Isn’t the original self contained?
He wrote it as a book first, so you could read that if you're interested. It's a hybrid prequel/sequel thing where some storylines take place before the first movie and some take place after. I liked it, and thought it brought some genuinely interesting context to a few of the characters. There's definitely an element where some of the stuff that comes across pretty elevated in his movies feels a bit airport thriller-y in novel form, but I guess that shouldn't be an issue anymore.
Really though, I'm gonna be interested in whatever Mann makes, so I'm not too disappointed to see him do a sequel really. Definitely wonder how the casting is gonna go -- clearly some big shoes to fill.
Leonardo DiCaprio wants to play Val Kilmer’s role, although fan casting has Austin Butler (who’s had conversations). Other actors circling: Adam Driver for De Niro’s role (previously worked with Mann on Ferrari), and Bradley Cooper for the villain role.
Driver seems like a pretty perfect fit, but DiCaprio feels weird for that role to me (maybe too old?). But hey, who am I to say...
That “everyone you can think of has met on this" line in the article has me pretty excited. Some of the new roles -- like the villain you mentioned, or some of the members of the crime family in the Kilmer character's storyline -- could be pretty fun.
i don’t like driver or dicaprio for this at all. i read the book twice — i think Butler in for Kilmer is good. for our baddie, it could almost work for glen powell, of all people. dane dehaan could work but i think he’s too small (physically and as a performer)
Perhaps DiCaprio wants to play someone younger considering he just had a 25 year old play his daughter. Thats probably some mental stress. I think he should just do the villain.
Michael Mann wrote a sequel book three years ago and this is an adaptation of that. He’s directing it himself.
you should read the book. it’s great and does a good job at continuing the story, mostly following Chris with another subplot that plays in.
...period films are especially difficult to pull off if they sit side-by-side with a contemporaneous original...
We don't. Heat is one of my favourite movies of all time, I have little faith they will pull off something of similar quality.
The prequel idea is interesting but without de-aging of the original actors, who cares? At that point just make an action movie. Aside from using the same names and doing heists, how do you connect it to the first movie in a meaningful way?
Disappointed it didn’t stay at WB. It would continue their current philosophy of prestige blockbusters. Though the budget was so big they wanted to split it with Apple. Amazon taking it is simpler I suppose and they’re somewhat committed to theatrical.